Selective automatic phonograph



June 25, 1935. R. 1. WILCOX SELECTIVE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Fi1ed.Ju1y 5, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 u c, MW fi June 25, 1935. I R w cox 2,005,923

SELECTIVE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Filed July 3, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 wkaw /w.

4 Patented June 25, 1935 PATENT OFFICE SELECTIVE AUTOMATIC PHONOGRAPH Russell I. Wilcox, Chicago, Ill., assignor of onehalf to Justus P. Seeburg, Chicago, Ill.

Application July 3, 1933, Serial No. 678,753

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a selective automatic phonograph adapted to play a selected one of a series of records or to play the records one after another, if desired.

The improved phonograph is intended to be enclosed within a cabinet and to be controlled from the outside by means of coin freed mechanism.

The invention will fully be understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevational sectional view through the upper part of the cabinet showing the mechanism in elevation, the section being taken at a point near the front wall of the cabinet;

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan taken on the line 3 of Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. l, the turntables and records being omitted, together with their spindle and associated parts;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional detail view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, illustrating more particularly the record selecting mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional detail view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional detail view taken on the line of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings, the cabinet is designated by the reference numeral Hi, this cabinet being preferably tall so as to bring the operating portions to a suitable height for easy manipulation by patrons. At an intermediate height the cabinet is provided with a transverse partition I l, which is the bottom of an upper compartment I2 40 provided with one or more windows l3 through which various parts of the operating mechanism can be observed.

The mechanical parts of the mechanism are supported in a frame l4, which, in turn, is secured to the horizontal partition preferably Icy means of bolts. The partition I is preferably made removable so that the phonographic apparatus can very readily be mounted in the cabinet and very readily removed therefrom when desired. The frame |4 suitably comprises a pair of end members I5 rigidly connected by bars IS. The frame l4 also comprises a pair of vertical posts I! rigidly secured to the rear bars I6 and secured to each other by bridge members l8 and l9 at their upper ends and near their lower ends,

respectively. One of the end frame members 5 has rigidly secured thereto a double arm bracket 20 which provides spaced bearings for the record spindle 2|, which projects upwardly almost to the level of the upper ends of the posts II.

The upper end of the spindle 2| is provided with a hearing at the end of an arm 22, which is pivotally mounted on one of the posts IT, as shown in Fig. 1, by means of a pair of perio rated lugs 23 through the openings of which the post I I passes. Between the lugs 23 there is rigidly mounted on the post an abutment member 24.

A coil spring is arranged between the abutment member 24 and the lower lug 23 so as to tend to move the arm 22 downwardly with its upper lug 23 bearing against the abutment member 24. In order accurately to position the arm 22 in cooperative relation with the spindle 2| I provide on the abutment member 24 a stop 26 which engages the arm 22 at the right position. I also provide on the abutment member 24 an upwardly projecting pin 21 which is adapted to enter into an opening in the arm 22 as said arm moves downwardly into cooperative position with the spindle 2|. The operation of the arm 22 will readily be understood. When it is desired to remove this arm from the upper end of the spindle 2| it is merely raised upwardly and moved in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2, so as to clear the records and their turntables and permit the same to be withdrawn from the spindle 2| and return thereto as desired. v

As will readily be seen from Fig. 1, the spindle 2| projects upwardly through an opening in the partition Immediately above this partition it has rigidly secured thereto a turntable 28 which is provided with an enlarged boss 29 through which the spindle 2| passes. The boss 29 may be supported. on a collar 30 rigidly secured to the spindle 2| and may also be rigidly secured to the spindle 2| by means of a screw 3|. In equipping the machine with records to be played, a record 32 is applied to the spindle 2| so as to bring it in position upon the turntable 28. Thereafter a turntable 33 provided on its underside with a large boss 34 is applied upon the spindle 2| so that the lower face of the boss 34 rests upon the record 32. The turntable 33 and its boss 34 are preferably exactly the same as the turntable 28 and its boss 29, differing only therefrom in that it is not rigidly secured to the spindle 2|, but merely rests upon the record 32 therebelow.

The loading operation is continued by applying records 35 and turntables 36 alternately upon the spindle 2| until the machine is fully loaded.

by a worm 38. The worm 38 is mounted on a shaft 39 which is provided with hearings in the bracket 20. The shaft 39 is connected to the spindle of an electric motor 40, mounted in a suitable manner upon the cabinet ill with its spindle in alignment with the shaft 39.

The shaft 2| is provided with a worm 4| which meshes with the pinion 42 freely mounted on a shaft 43 which is provided with bearings in the end frame members I5. The shaft 43 is the main cam shaft and is provided with a player arm translating cam 44, a player arm tilting cam 45, a player arm carriage elevating cam 48 and a selector locking cam 41. These cams are rigidly mounted upon the shaft 43 so as to operate associated mechanisms in proper sequence, which sequence will hereinafter be fully described.

48 which is adapted to cooperate with a timing switchor a counting timer switch to stop the operation of the machine after one or a certain plurality of records, depending upon the number of coins inserted in the switch, have been played. The shaft 43 has also rigidly mounted thereon an arm 49 which is adapted to actuate the record selector so that when the machine is set to play a plurality of records in succession, it will automatically shift from one record to another.

The pinion 42 and the shaft 43 are provided with complementary clutch elements so that the shaft 43 may at times be operatively connected to the pinion 42 and driven through said pinion from the motor 44. These clutch elements may suitably comprise a disk 50 rigidly mounted on one side of the pinion 42, which disk is provided with a circumferential series of openings into which a pin 5| is adapted to enter. The pin. 5! is carried by a collar 52 slidably but non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 43. normally pressed toward the disk 50 by means of a coil spring 53 which abutsagainst one face of the cam 44 and against a. face of the collar 52. In order to prevent collar 52 from rotating relatively to shaft 43 I preferably project the pin 5| between the furcations 54 of an element 55 pinned or otherwise rigidly mounted on the shaft 43. The clutching elements are controlled by lever 56, the forward end of which normally rests on the cylindrical surface of the collar 52. Upon this surface is applied a cam 51 having an edge surface 58 inclined to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 43.

During the rotation of the shaft 43, which occurs in the clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, the inclined surface 58 makes contact with the end of the lever 56, and this lever being held against movement to the left as viewed in Fig. l, the collar 52 is forced to the right as viewed in this figure until the pin 5| is withdrawn from the opening in the disk 50 in which it had been entered. When this pin is withdrawn the operative connection between the pinion 42 and shaft 43 is interrupted. The shaft 43 is provided with a friction brake 59 so that it stops The pin 5! is promptly upon the withdrawal of the pin 5|. The pinion 42 and shaft 43 remain unclutched until the forward end of the lever 56 is elevated so that said end rises above the inclined edge surface 58, which elevation is efiected in a manner hereinafter described.

The player arm 60 is relatively flat and is of substantial weight at its free end. The purpose of making it fiat is to enable it more readily to move between the records and minimize the amount of vertical space required for a superposed series of records. As best seen in Fig. 2 the player arm 60 comprises two similar forwardly projecting parts in spaced relation, the

forward ends of which are connected by a bridge BI, which also serves as a bearing for a rod 62. The rod 62 is provided at its forward end, beyond the bridge BI, with means for receiving andsecuring a needle 63. The rear end of the rod 62 extends operatively into a pick up member 64, which may be of conventional type, but which is mounted upon the pick up arm 63 at a position remote from the needle. The player arm 60 is provided with rearwardly directed parallel arms which are pivotally mounted at their rear ends upon a swinging carriage 65, best shown in Fig. 6. This carriage comprises forwardly projecting lugs 66 and 6'! which are provided with openings in vertical alignment, through which passes a vertical guide rod 68. Vertical guide rod 68 is connected rigidly by upper and lower elements 69 and Hi respectively, to a vertical rod ll so as to provide a swinging frame with which the player arm 60 and the carriage are adapted to swing in unison in a horizontal direction. The swinging carriage 65 and likewise an associated carriage 12 are adapted to slide vertically upon the guide rod 68. The carriage 12 is essentially rectangular in outline, the upper and lower members being provided with openings (2a through which the guide rod 68 extends so as to enable the carscrew 14 passing through a wall of the carriage 12 projects above the lug 61 and prevents vertical separation of the carriages 65 and i2, keeping them together notwithstanding the free swinging movements of the carriage 65 in the horizontal direction.

The carriage '12 is connected by a downwardly extending link 15 to a lever 16 which will hereinafter he more fully described. The carriage 12 has pivotally mounted thereon a spring pressed dog-l1 which is upwardly directed and adapted to engage with a pin of a selector mechanism, hereinafter to be described. The upper end of the dog is sloped towards the right, as seen in Fig. 1, so that in the event that it comes in contact with one of said pins in the downward movement of the carriage T2, the dog will pass said. pin freely.

The swinging carriage 65 comprises a rearwardly extending portion 18 provided with furcations at its rear end, which are located one on each side of the rod 'il so as to cause the player arm 69 and the swinging carriage 65 which carries it to swing in unison with the frame constituted by the guide rod 68, upper and lower elements 69 and i0 and rod H. The rear-wardly extension 18 has pivotally mounted thereon a horse shoe element 19 which is provided at its upper end'with a pin directed rearwardly towards the center of the rod II. The rod II is provided with a longitudinal series of forwardly directed holes 8| adapted to receive the pin 80 and hold the player arm in cooperative relation with any one of the records mounted on the spindle 2| in the manner hereinbefore described.

The horse shoe element I9 has a downwardly projecting leg 82 which carries a screw 83 adapted to engage an abutment 84 on a carriage I2. The leg 82 is connected by means of a spring 85 to the swinging carriage 65, for example, to the pivot which secures the player arm 60 to this carriage. This spring normally tends to keep the pin 80 in one of the openings 8|. When, however, the player arm 60 is deflected into non-operating position, as shown in Fig. 2, the screw 83 engages the abutment 84, causing the horse shoe element I9 to swing about its pivots and withdraw the pin 80 from the openings inthe rod 1|. When this occurs in the operation of the device, as will hereinafter be more fully described, the player arm 60 and carriages 65 and I2 fall under their own weight, which fall is damped in the manner hereinafter described.

The carriage 65 has pivoted thereto a plate 86 which extends upwardly behind the guide rod 68. This plate is provided with a roller 8'! which rides upon the rear face of the rod 68 during the upward and downward movements of the carriages and player arm. The weight of the player arm is counterbalanced to a suitable extent by springs 88 connected to said player arm and to the upper end of the plate 86, the tension of these springs tending to hold the roller 81 in contact with the rod 68.

The player arm 60 is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting elements 89 between which is mounted a roller 90 normally located some distance in front of the rod 68. This roller bears against the forward face of a rod 9| connected to the guide rod 68 by equal parallel links 92 adjacent its upper and lower ends. The links 92 are freely pivoted to the rods 9| and 68 so that the rod 9| may be elevatedin the manner hereinafter described. The links 92 are normally directed forwardly and downwardly from the rod 68 to the rod 9|, so that the elevation of the rod 9| is accompanied by a slight forward movement of said rod. The resulting forward movement of the roller 90 raises the player arm slightly and takes the needle out of contact with the record. The rod 9| is provided with a roller 93 which is adapted to be engaged in the manner hereinafter described to elevate the rod 9|.

Adjacent its lower end the guide rod 68 has rigidly mounted thereon a rod 94 which projects rearwardly and towards the left in normal operative position, as viewed in Fig. 3. At its free end the rod 94 has mounted thereon a roller 95 and also has pivotally mounted thereon a tooth 96, the function whereof will hereinafter be de- I scribed. The lower element I0 of the swinging frame extends forwardly and is provided at its forward end with the helical cam 91 which extends downwardly in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3. Below the lower element I8 a bar 98 is pivotally mounted on the guiderod 68. This bar 98 is connected through a spring 99 to one of the posts I'I so that it tends to move in 'a clockwise direction when viewed in plan as in Fi 3.

A screw I00, which extends through the said post I1, serves as an abutment for the bar 98 limiting its tendency to move in this direction. The bar 98 carries an upstanding pin |0I on the right hand side of the forward extension of the element 10 so as to serve as an abutment therefor. The pin I0| permits independent movement of the player arm and its swinging arm to the left of the pin IOI, but causes the bar 98 to move to the right away from the abutment I00 when the player arm and its frame move to the right beyond a predetermined position. This predetermined position is that at which the point of the needle is immediately above the beginning of the recording spiral of the record. When the player arm moves to the right beyond that position, which occurs during the normal operation of the machine, as will hereinafter be described, the lower element I0 engages the pin IM and tensions the spring 99, which is thereby energized so as to return the player arm to initial playing position in the subsequent cycle of operation. During the return movement,that is the movement of the player "arm to the left towards the record, it is desir-' able to lock the swinging frame to the bar 98, to prevent the inertia of the swinging frame and the parts carried thereon, including the player arm, from swinging the needle into a position over the record considerably inside the initial playing position. For this purpose a latch I02 is mounted on the forward end of the bar 98 and is biased upwardly by a spring I03 so that it tends to engage the forward extension of the swinging frame member I0 when it is brought into contact with the pin |0I.

Under certain circumstances which will hereinafter be described, the tension in the spring I03 is released. this release preferably occurring after the inwardly moving player arm has become arrested in its initial playing position and during the downward tilting of the player arm resulting from the descent of the rod 9|, the actuation of which will be more fully described. After the latch is released in this manner, the player arm and its swinging frame are free to move inwardly as a result of the engagement of the needle with the recording spiral of the record, while the bar 98 is held against similar movement by the abutment screw I00.

A shaft I04 is supported between one of the end frame members I5 and an angular bracket I05, which is rigidly secured to two of the frame bars I6, as shown in Fig. 4. The shaft I04serves as a support for the lever 56, the lever I06 and lever I01. The lever 56 isprovided with an arched extension I08 so that it is provided with two bearing collars through which the shaft I04 passes. A spring I09 engages a collar IIO, rigidly and adjustably secured to the shaft I04, and the left hand collar of the lever 56, so that it tends to move this lever towards the left, as viewed in Fig. 3. The collar 0 serves as an abutment, taking the thrust applied to the lever 56 during its engagement with the cam 51, previously described. The lever 56 extends rearwardly for a substantial distance beyond the shaft I04 and its rear end is of arcuate formation, having its center approximately on the axis of the guide rod 68, the radius being such that the arcuate portion is located below the roller 95 and pivoted tooth 96, as best seen in Fig. 3. The extreme end portion of the lever 56 has secured thereto a strip III, the upper edge of which is serrated and adapted to be engaged by the pivoted tooth 96.

As seen in Fig.- 3, the tooth 96 is adapted to extend forwardly of the strip III during the cycle of operation. When the record begins to play the arm 94 moves in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 3, and the tooth 96 comes into engagement with the serrated upper edge of the strip III, the tooth 96 being directed forwardly. At its rear extremity the lever 56 is provided with an upwardly rearwardly inclined pin H2 which lies in the path of the roller 95. The forward end of the lever 56 is held downwardly, and consequently its rear end is held upwardly, resiliently, by means of a spring I I3 secured to the lever 66 and to the bracket 20. As the player arm moves over the record, as a result of the engagement of the needle with the recording spiral thereof, the tooth 96 moves progressively over the serrated edge of the strip I I I. When the player arm has reached a position inwardly of the record, beyond which no recording is present, the roller 95 engages the pin I I2 and depresses the rear end of the lever 56 so as to elevate its forward end out of contact with the cam 57, causing the clutch elements to move into engagement, with the result that the shaft 43 is driven by the motor.

In certain types of record there is an eccentric groove into which the needle passes at the end of the playing of the record. In the case of such a record the reverse movement of the player arm and the similar movement of the arm 94 causes the pivoted tooth 96 to depress the rear end of the lever 56, with similar effect.

The lever I06, which is pivoted at an intermediate point on the shaft I04, carries at its forward end a roller H4 which rides on the upper edge of the player arm translating cam 44. At its rear end the lever I06 carries a roller H5 which is adapted to ride upon the helical cam 91. It will readily be understood that when the shaft 43 is rotated to rotate the cam 44 the forward end of the lever I06 is elevated and its rear end is depressed. The pressure applied by the rear roller H5 beyond the helical cam 97 causes the swinging frame, together with the player arm, to swing in counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in plan, against the action of the spring 99.

The lever IDI carries at its forward end a roller H6 which is adapted to ride on the player arm tilting cam 45. At its rear end the lever I0'I is provided with an arcuate portion III normally located immediately below the roller 93, the element HI being shaped so as to conform to the path of the roller 93, during the swinging movements of the player arm. When the forward end of the lever I0I is depressed by ,the cam 45, the arcuate portion III is correspondingly elevated and engages the roller 93 and elevates the rod 9|. The elevation of the rod 9|, through its contact with the roller 90, elevates the player arm 60 to a sufiicient degree to remove the needle 58 from the record, as hereinbefore described. It will be understood that when the cam 45 permits the forward end of the lever III! to rise again, under the action of a spring H8, the arcuate element III drops and the player arm moves downwardly somewhat so as to bring the needle into contact with the recording groove of the phonograph. The arcuate rear portion II! of the lever I07 has secured thereto the upper end of the spring I03, which as hereinbefore described, is connected to the latch I02. When the arcuate element II! is in its lowest position, there is no tension in the spring I03 and the latch I02 falls to its lowest position by its own weight. When, however, the arcuate element III is in its elevated position there is sufficient tension on the spring I03 to raise the latch. I02 sufiiciently to lock the swinging frame to the bar 98 as hereinbefore described.

The lever I6, previously referred to, which effects the elevation of the player arm and associated carriages 66 and I2, by means of the link I5, extends forwardly of the machine and is pivoted adjacent its forward end, being there provided with a U bend so as to provide a pair of bearings whereby it is pivotally mounted in one of the frame bars I6. The forward end of the returned portion of the lever I6 is connected by a link H8 to a bellows H9 provided with a conventional flap valve I20. It will readily be seen with reference to Fig. 4 that when the player arm and associated parts are permitted to drop under their weight, the link H8 will tend to open the bellows H9. The bellows accordingly restrains the descent of the player arm and associated parts so as to avoid injury to the sensitive elements comprised therein.

A spring I2I is connected to the frame I4 and to the lever I6 so as to take part of the weight of said lever. Another spring I22 extends from the lever I6 upwardly to the upper end of a finger I23 which extends upwardly from an arm I24 pivotally mounted on the same frame bar I6 as is the lever I6. The arm I24 is provided with a returned end so as to comprise a U-shaped pivoted end which is located on both sides of the U-shaped end of the lever I6. The lever I6 and the arm I24 are held against axial displacement by means of collars I25 mounted on the frame arm I6 which carries said lever and arm. Adjacent its forward end the arm I24 is provided with a lug I26 which overhangs the lever I6. This lug carries a screw I21 adapted to make contact with the lever I6, the lever I6 being accordingly adjustable with respect to the arm I 24 by merely actuating the screw I2I. On its outer side, the arm I24 carries a roller I28, which rides on the player arm and elevating cam 46.

It will readily be understood that when the cam 46 is rotated the arm I24 will be raised by the roller I28 and the spring I22 will move the lever I6 upwardly, this upward movement in turn effecting the elevation of the player arm and its carriages. As will hereinafter be described, the upward movement of these elements is arrested at a predetermined position so that in most cases the movement of the lever I6 is terminated before that of the arm I24. The further upward movement of the arm I24 occurs with a corresponding expansion of the spring I22. As soon as the cam 46 permits it, the arm I24 moves downwardly again until the screw I27 makes contact with the lever Hi.

The record selecting mechanism which determines the position at which the player arm and its associated carriages stops will now be descrimd. This mechanism comprises a vertical rod I29 pivotally mounted between the bridge members I8 and I9. This rod is provided with radially projecting pins I30 equi-distantly spaced along the length of the rod, the spacing between the adjacent pins beingsubstantially equal to the spacing between adjacent record discs and the similar spacing between adjacent openings 8I in the rod II. The same number of pins I30 as records which the machine is intended to play, are provided and they are located upon the rod I29 in a helical series which goes around the rod once. Viewed in plan, as in Fig. 2, no two pins ?1 I 30 are in superimposed relation, and they are spaced uniformly around the longitudinal axis of the rod I29. In the present case, where ten records are to be played, the angular displacement between one pin I30 and the next is thirty-six degrees, and this displacement occurs downwardly along the rod I29 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in plan.

In the present embodiment of the invention means are provided for rotating the rod I 29 through the angular distance between adjacent pins so as to bring these pins consecutively into the path of the dog II on the carriage 12. In the present invention, the progressive rotation of the rod I29 is effected in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in plan, with the result that the pins I30 are brought into cooperative relation with the dog II in downward order, and after the lowest pin has been brought into operative relation with the dog I1 the uppermost pin is then brought into operative position, and so on. A star wheel I3I is rigidly mounted on the rod I29 at a position below the horizontal partition I I'. This star wheel has the same number of teeth as there are pins I30. As best shown in Fig. 3, the teeth of the star wheel are relatively pointed, and the recesses between the teeth are of arcuate form so as to receive a roller I32 carried by an arm I33 mounted on the adjacent post II. The arm I33 is biased toward the star wheel I 3| by means of a spring I34 connected to a pin carried by the arm I 33 and to a screw I35 rigidly mounted on said post I'I. Above the star wheel I3I and pivotally mounted on the rod I29 is an arm I36, which normally extends toward the right and is provided with a pad I31, which bears against the adjacent post II. On its under side the arm I36 has pivotally mounted thereon a dog I38 which is directly inwardly and rearwardly adapted to engage the teeth of the star wheel I3 I. The dog I38 is normally held in contact with the star wheel by means of a spring I 39. The rearward end of a bar I40 is pivotally connected to the arm I36. The forward end of the bar I40 is pivotally connected to an arm I ll pivotally mounted on the inner side of the right hand frame member I5. A stop I42 mounted on the frame member I 5 limits the rearward movementof the arm Ill.

Its forward movement is limited by the engage ment of the stop I3'I with the post II, as heretofore described. The arm I is provided with a roller I43, which is adapted to be engaged by the arm 49, previously mentioned, which arm is mounted on the shaft 43, as hereinbefore described. During the revolution of this shaft the arm 49 comes into contact with the roller I43, and the arm I and bar I 40 are moved rearwardly.

' This rearward movement causes the arm I36 to move rearwardly, and the dog I38 turns the star wheel I3I through a distance equal to the distance between the teeth. The consequent rotation of the star wheel I3I causes the roller I32 to rise out of its recess and pass into the next recess, thus holding the rod I29 in position to effect the playing of the next' consecutive record, and in the case of the present embodiment of the invention, in the record next belowthat just played.

It will be seen that the movement of the star wheel I3I through one tooth distance is effected automatically every time the shaft 43 rotates.- This shaft rotates once between the playing of consecutive records, with theresult that the selec-; tive mechanism will cause the playing of the records in downward sequence unless manual selection is interposed. The manner in which this may be done will now be described.

At its upper end the arm I is provided with an eye, which receives a rod Ill, which is provided with a bearing I45 on the frame member I5 and projects outwardly through the front wall of the housing III, as best shown in Fig. 3. The rod Ill is provided slightly forwardly of the arm I with a collar I46. Between the collar I46 and the arm I4I'the rod I44 is provided with a coil spring I". This coil spring normally holds the rod Ill in a forward extreme position defined by the engagement of a collar I48 with the bearing I45.

Intermediate between the collars I46 and I43 the rod I44 is provided with a collar I49 rigidly mounted on said rod. A bellcrank lever I50 is mounted on the frame member I5 so that one end I5I is adapted to enter the path of. the collar I49 when the rod I, is moved rearwardly. The bellcrank lever I50 includes a downwardly extending arm upon which a roller I52 is mounted. This roller rides upon the selector locking cam 41 and is adapted to be drawn toward said cam by means of a spring I53.

It will readily be seen, with reference to Fig. 5, that when the roller I52 is riding along the low part of cam 41 the end I5I of the bellcrank lever I50 will be in a slightly higher position than shown in Fig. 5, so that inward movement of the rod I44 is effectively prevented until after the roller I52 has moved to the corresponding rise of the cam 41 to a higher position thereon. This lock is for the purpose of preventing interference with the selector mechanism during the elevation of the player arm and associated parts until after these parts have been locked in a desired elevated position by the engagement of the pin 80 in one of the openings 8|. After this occurs, the selector mechanism is released and the next recording which the patron desires to be played can be selected. As previously indicated, the dog I! is pivotally mounted and spring held upon the carriage I2 so that it may move freely past a pin I30 located in its downward path.

In order that the patron may select the record which he desires to play, I connect the rod I29 with an indicator I54, which is shown as a disc provided with bores corresponding to the number of records employed. This disc is mounted on a shaft I55 having a bearing carried by one of the frame members I5. At its lower end the shaft I55 is provided with a tooth .wheel I56, which is connected by an endless chain I51 to a similar tooth wheel I58 rigidly mounted on the rod I29.

I provide on the partition II a pin I 59, which registers with the appropriate figure of the disc I 54 so that the patron may know which record is to be played. Adjacent the disc I54 I place upon the partition I I an index I60, which bears the corresponding numbers and the titles of the records to which they relate. It will be immediately apparent that the patron can effect the rotation of the rod I29, one tooth at a time, by pressing the rod I44 inwardly, except at that time during which the rod is locked. The rotation of the rod I29 is accompanied by a similar rotation of the disc I54. By the appropriate number of pushes on the rod 44, the patron can bring the rod I29 to position to play any desired selection on the index I60.

The instrument described is particularly adapted-for use as a coin freed machine, the insertion of a coin electrically controlling the operation of the device and the supply of current to the motor. The typical wiring diagram is superimposed upon Fig. 3. The reference numeral I6I designates a conventional coin insertion device, which projects the coin into a coin chute I62. In passing through the coin chute the coin completes a circuit, including leads I63, which are electrically connected to a switch box I64 of known type. This switch box is adapted to complete a circuit between two leads I65 and I66. It comprises a projecting lever I61 adapted to be engaged by the arm 48 at the end of each revolution of the shaft 43 so as to open the switch. The lead I65 is connected to one of the power leads. The lead I66 is connected to the motor 46 and also to the amplifier diagrammatically illustrated at I12. The other power lead I68 is connected to the amplifier I12, to the motor 46, and to the switch box I64. Appropriate leads I69 extend from the amplifier to the pick-up 64 and appropriate leads I16 extend from the receiver to theloud speaker I1I, which may be mounted adjacent a suitable opening in the front wall of the cabinet I0.

If desired, the switch box' I64 may be of the general type described and claimed in the copending application, Serial No. 584,131, filed December 31, 1931, by Noel M. Seeburg. That is, it may be a counting or accumulating switch box so that a plurality of'coins'may be inserted at one time, with the result that a corresponding number of records are played. In other words, the box contains mechanism so that ii ten coins of appropriate valuefor the playing of a record are inserted, the leads I65 and I66 will be connected by the switch box until the arm 48 strikes the lever I41 ten times.

The operation of the device will readily be understood from the foregoing description, in which I have given both a description of the various mechanisms and the manner in which they operate. For the sake of greater clarity I now give a short rsum showing the manner in which the various functions and operations are.

interrelated.

The machine is normally stopped by the engagement of the arm 48 with the arm I61 of the switch box I64. This occurs immediately after the player arm 66 and its associated carriages have fallen to their lowermost position. The rod I44 is actuated a desired number of times to bring the appropriate pin I30 into alignment with the dog 11. The number of the pin is indicated by the pin I59 in relation to the numerals on the dial I54, and the title of the selection to be played can be read by the patron on the index I66.

One or more coins of the appropriate denomination are inserted into the coin chute I62, which, through the leads I63, sets the switch box I64 for the playing of the corresponding number of records. The switch box I64 makes the circuits of the motor-wand the amplifier I12 so that the motor immediately starts operating.

At this time the shaft 43 is clutched to the pinion 42 so that the shaft 43 is driven. The roller H4 of the lever I06 is riding on the elevated portion of the cam 44 so that the player arm 60 is maintained deflected to the right of the records. The roller H6 is riding on an elevated portion of the cam 45 so that the rod 9| is in its highest position with respect to the main swinging frame composed of the rods 68 and H and the elements rigidly connecting them. The roller I28 is located on the lowest portion of the cam 46 so that the player arm and its associated carriages are in their lowest position. The roller I52 is located on the highest portion of the cam 41 so that the selector control arm I44 is free from adjustment in the manner described.

The rotation of the shaft 43 and the cams and elements mounted thereon is in the clockwise direction as viewed from the left of the machine; that is, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. As this rotation continues, the roller I52 moves down a fall on the cam 41, bringing the end I5I into the path of the collar I49 so as to prevent actuation of the selector rod I44. The roller I28 now rides up a rise on the cam 46, elevating the player arm 66 and associated carriages until the dog 11 makes contact with the appropriate pin I30. When this occurs, the upward movement of the player arm, associated carriages, and the lever 16 is terminated, and further ride of the roller I28 upon the rise of the cam 46 results merely in a separation of the lever 16 and arm I24 in the manner hereinbefore described. After the roller I28 has reached its highest position on the cam 46, along which it rides for some time, the roller I I4 passes over a fall on the cam 44, which permits the elevation of the roller I I5 and the consequent swinging of the bar 98 and the whole swinging elements associated with the player arm in clockwise direction, as viewed in plan, until the arm 98 is arrested by contact with the screw I00.

During this swinging movement of the player arm, the sliding carriages which carry it become locked to the rod H by the entry of the pin 80 into the appropriate opening 8|. This corresponds to the position of the needle 63, immediately above the initial recording spiral on the record.

Immediately after the bar 98 is arrested by the screw IIIII, the roller I28 passes over a fall on the cam 46, allowing the arm to return to engage the relation with the lever 16. Immediately after this occurs, the roller II6 passes over a fall on the cam 45 so that the rear arcuate portion II1 of the lever I61 moves downwardly and permits the needle 63 to drop into contact with the recording spiral of the record, the player arm being supported by the contact of the needle with the record during the playing. As hereinbefore explained, the downward movement of the arcuate,

portion I I1 is accompanied by a release of the latch I62 so that all the swinging elements other than the bar 98 are free to swing inwardly while the record is being played. Immediately after this occurs, the arm- 49 meets the roller I43 of the selector mechanism and rotates the star wheel I 3I one tooth, bringing the next downward pin I36 into alignment with the dog 11. At the same time the roller I52 rides up a rise on the cam 41 so that the selector actuating rod I44 is unlocked, permitting the patron to make any other selection he desires, either while instrument is playing or standing still, until the rod I44 is again locked in the cycle of operation of the machine.

The forward end of the lever 56 now rides over the surface 58 of the cam 51 and displaces the collar 52 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, until the pin 5| is withdrawn from the opening in the disc 50. When this occurs, the shaft 43 is promptly stopped by the brake 59.

During the swinging movement of the player arm into initial playing position, the pivoted tooth 96 is brought into contact with the serrated strip I I I and remains in contact therewith as the player arm is carried over the recorded surface of the record. This results, in either of two ways, in the clutching of the shaft 43 to the pinion 42.

When the rotation of the shaft 43 is resumed the roller H6 passes over a fall on the cam so that the rod 9| and consequently the player arm are elevated slightly. Continued rotation of the shaft 43 causes the roller Ill to ride up a rise on the cam 44f The consequent depression of the roller H5 which coacts with the helical cam 91, causes the player arm and associated parts to swing outwardly until the element 10 becomes locked to the bar 98 by means of the latch I82. Thereafter the bar 98 moves outwardly with the player arm and other swinging parts until the pin 88 is withdrawn from its opening 8|, whereupon the player arm and its associated carriages fall in the manner hereinbefore described. After this the engagement of the roller I28 with the cam 45 provides a lower stop for the downward movement of these carriages.

The screw I21 may be adjustedto define the lowest position of the player arm, which is preferably such that substantially no elevation is necessary in order to bring the pin 80 into the lowest opening 81. That is. the lowest position of the player arm 60 is slightly above the lowermost record. The continued rotation of the shaft 43 brings'the arm 48 into contact with the switch arm I61. If only one coin has been inserted, this contact effects the stoppage of the motor and it remains stopped until a further coin is inserted. If a plurality of coins had been inserted and the switch box I 64 is of the counter or accumulator type referred to, then the contact of the arm 48 with the arm I61 mere= ly affects the counting mechanism without stopping the motor, and the sequence of operations described above is repeated again and again until coins were inserted.

Although the present invention has been described in' connection with the specific details of a preferred embodiment thereof, it must be understcod that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States. is:

1. A selective automatic phonograph comprising means for supporting in superposed spaced relationship a plurality of phonograph records, means for rotating said records. a player arm adapted selectively to cooperate with said records, mechanical means for raising said player arm past all said records, and selector means for arresting said player arm to determine the record to be played. said mechanical means being resilient to permit arrest of said arm in cooperative relation with any of said records.

2. A selective automatic phonograph comprising means for supporting in superposed spaced relationship a plurality of phonograph records, means for rotating said records, a player arm adapted selectively to cooperate with said records, automatic means adapted to raise and lower said arm past a plurality of records, selector means adapted to limit the raising of said arm to effect the playing of a certain record, and automatic means for actuating said selector means at the end of the playing of a record.

3. A selective automatic phonograph comprising means for supporting in superposed spaced relationship a plurality-of phonograph records, means for rotating said records, a player arm adapted selectively to cooperate with said records, mechanical means adapted to raise 'and lower said arm past a'plurality of records, selector means adapted to limit the raising of said arm to effect the playing of a certain record, and manually operated means for actuating said selector means to effect the playing of a desired record, said mechanical mcans being resilient to permit arrest of said arm in cooperative zelation with any of said records.

4:. A selective automatic phonograph comprising a multiple turntable adapted to carry a series of superposed records in vertically spaced relation, a vertical frame adjacent said turntable, a carriage mounted and adapted to slide up and down thereon, power operated mechanism for elevating the carriage on the frame, selective means for limiting the upward sliding movement of the carriage, means actuated by said power operated mechanism for actuating said selective means, and manually operated means for actuating said selective means.

5. A selective automatic phonograph comprising a multiple turntable adapted to carry a series of superposed records in vertically spaced relation, a frame mounted to swing on a vertical axis, adjacent said turntable, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame, means for preventing said carriage from swinging, a carriage supported upon and slidable with the first said carriage and adapted to swing in horizontal planes with the frame, a player arm pivotally supported on the last said carriage to swing therewith, automatic means for raising the first said carriage to raise the player arm, and means carried by said vertical frame for tilting the player arm to raise and lower it from and to the record.

6. A selective automatic phonograph comprising a multiple turntable adapted to carry a series of superposed records in vertically spaced relation, a vertical frame adjacent said turntable, a player arm slidably mounted on said frame to be moved intovarious positions thereon, said player arm being adapted to swing slightly about a horizontal axis so as to enable it to drop on to a record and elevate therefrom, and a vertical bar extending along said frame, oblique parallel links pivotally secured to said frame and to said bar, and means for moving said bar longitudinally whereby said links cause it to engage the player arm at any of its positions to effect said swinging thereof.

7. A selective automatic phonograph comprising a multiple turntable adapted to carry a series of superposed records in vertically spaced relation, a vertical frame adjacent said turntable adapted to swing about avertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame in the vertical direction so as to be movable into various positions thereon, means on said carriage engaging said frame to cause it to swing therewith, a player arm mounted on said carriage adapted to swing with said carriage and adapted to swing slightly about a horizontal axis so as to enable it to drop on to a record and elevate therefrom, a bar extending along said frame and adapted to be moved to effect said slight swinging of the player arm.

8. A selective automatic phonograph cont-prising a multiple turntable adapted to carry a series of superposed records in vertically spaced relation, a vertical frame adjacent said turntable,

adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted on said frame to be moved into various positions thereon, a player arm carried by said carriage, means for swinging the frame to bring the player arm into cooperative Cal relation to the record to be played, and means brought into operation by last said swinging for locking the carriage temporarily to said swinging frame.

9. In a selective automatic phonograph, in combination, an elongated vertical frame adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted thereon, means for preventing swinging of the carriage with the frame, means for raising said carriage, a second carriage slidable with the first said carriage, means on the last said carriage engaging the swinging frame so as to cause said carriage to swing therewith, a player arm mounted on the last said carriage, and a latch actuated by relative movement between the two carriages adapted to lock the second said carriage temporarily to the swinging frame.

10. In a selective automatic phonograph, in combination, an elongated vertical frame adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted thereon, means for preventing swinging of the carriage with the frame, resilient means for raising said carriage, selector means comprising a plurality of spaced elements adapted selectively to be brought into the path of said carriage to stop its upward movement at a pre-' determined position, a. second carriage slidable with the first said carriage and adapted to swing with the swinging frame, and a player arm mounted on the last said carriage.

11. In a selective automatic phonograph, in combination, an elongated vertical frame adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted thereon, means for preventing swinging of the carriage with the frame, resilient means for raising said carriage, selector means comprising a plurality of spaced elements adapted selectively to be brought into the path of :aid carriage to stop its upward movement at a predetermined position, a second carriage siidable with the first said carriage, means on the last said carriage engaging the swinging frame so a; to cause said carriage to swing therewith, a player arm mounted on the last said carriage, and a latch actuated by relative movement between the two carriages adapted to lock the second sa d carriage temporarily to the swinging frame.

12. In a selective automatic phonograph. in combination, an elongated vertical frame adapted to swing about a vertical axis, a carriage slidably mounted thereon and adapted to swing therewith, means for raising raid carriage, a player arm mounted, on the carriage, and a latch actuated by the swinging movement of the carrfage for locking the carriage temporarily to the swing ing frame.

13. In a selective automatic phonograph adapted to receive a series of superposed spaced records, in combination, a player arm, a carriage therefor adapted to slide to bring the tone arm into cooperative relation with any of the records, a selector rod provided with a series of projecting elements located out of axial alignment, and means for rotating the rod to bring one of said elements into the path of said carriage to arrest it adjacent a predetermined record.

RUSSELL I. WILCOX- Ill 

